Stakeholder trust in a state wildlife agency

Abstract

ABSTRACTTrust in science and government regulatory agencies (e.g., state wildlife agencies) is a growing issue among wildlife managers and administrators who are attempting to engage stakeholders and develop effective, public wildlife conservation. However, a paucity of research has investigated attributes affecting stakeholder trust in wildlife agencies. We proposed a theoretical model of 2 key factors that can affect levels of trust: procedural fairness and technical competency. We used structured equation modeling to examine the influence of these factors on trust in a state wildlife agency by a prominent wildlife stakeholder, licensed hunters ≥18 years old. We tested the model with results from a mail‐back questionnaire (n = 2,708 respondents, 39.6% response rate) about trust in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Division. The respondent population closely reflected Michigan's population of hunting license‐holders regarding demographic and geographic composition. The modified measurement model fit the data well, supporting the uniqueness of the procedural fairness, technical competency, and trust measures. The test of the structural model indicted that stakeholder perceptions of procedural fairness and technical competence exhibited by agency personnel positively influenced trust; however, the coefficient for procedural fairness was nearly 4 times greater than that of perceived technical competence of personnel. Perceived congruency of values between stakeholders and the agency was the most important modifier of the relationship of fairness and competency on trust. Our findings identify influential pathways wildlife professionals generally and state wildlife agencies specifically can take to strengthen stakeholders’ trust and confidence in their agencies. The complexity of public wildlife management ensures that there always will be factors affecting trust in state wildlife agencies for which agencies can do little about. Yet, development of decisions processes perceived by stakeholders to be fair and transparent and investment in agency personnel with skills in stakeholder engagement likely will be effective ways to foster trust and confidence in state wildlife agencies. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.